Is what I googled last night at 2am after I downed the better part of a bag of chocolate candies when I couldn’t sleep. I thought a little bit of healthy, dark chocolate would be okay, especially because I had gone for a run earlier that day. But a little bit turned out to be a whole family sized bag. I had also just read an article about the evils of sugar and carbs earlier that day, so the guilt factor about how much I had indulged was higher than usual.
To remedy my guilty feelings, I ate more…and then a little more (because I felt guilty about eating more…so I ate even more). Each time I ate more, my feelings of guilt were suspended as the chocolaty chocolate goodness flooded my brain. But, as soon as it was gone…BAM!!! Back to the land of the sneaky night-time chocolate over-eating. At that point, I had to rationalize my guilt away somehow…
I keep hearing that dark chocolate has tons of antioxidants, and antioxidants help slow the aging process, so I decided to scope the internet hoping to find evidence that would support my theory that OVER-eating dark chocolate might reverse aging. If that’s the case, there’s really no need for me to feel guilty, or worry about having to bust out my fat-lady pants. I could simply go to sleep knowing I would wake up the next morning with the soft supple face of a five year old.
But, I found no such evidence. Instead, I found this —-> More research is needed.
In the meantime, if you want to add chocolate to your diet, do so in moderation (oops). Why? Most commercial chocolate has ingredients that add fat, sugar and calories. And too much can contribute to weight gain, a risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. (oops x 2)
Choose dark chocolate with cocoa content of 65 percent or higher. Limit yourself to around 3 ounces (85 grams) a day (Ummm…oops, again), which is the amount some studies have shown to be helpful. Because this amount may provide up to 450 calories, you may want to cut calories in other areas or step up the exercise to compensate.
Okay, so I’d best go run…after I pry myself out of this sugar coma…
Please enjoy these links that do highlight the health benefits of chocolate!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-chocolate/AN02060
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/28/11-reasons-chocolate-is-good-for-your-health.html
Lucky Wreck 
If you research the internet long enough, you will find out that every food on the face of the planet is both bad for you, and good for you. I say eat whatever you want. As long as you exercise enough, it won’t matter!
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SO TRUE! There really is so much what’s good for you and what’s bad for you stuff out there, who knows what to eat anymore! Hahaa! I generally try to eat healthfully, but it doesn’t always work out that way…this is where the exercise comes in 😉
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Here my personal hint: If you eat enjoy every bite, than it doesn’t make fat! I promise it!!!
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LOVE that hint, Tutti! I think I try it! 🙂
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It just so happens that two hours before your indulgence last night I ate 10 scrumptious pieces of Dark Chocolate Acai with blueberry. These contained only 14 grams of fat and 60 total carbs. But I certainly wouldn’t want you to think your “addiction” was inherited!
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That just so happens to be what I pigged out on! It must be hereditary! 😉
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I’ve been indulging in Lindt dark chocolate with orange lately. I’ve been rationalising that it’s ok because it’s good for me lmao. Although, with chocolate, indulging for me is only a couple of pieces. It’s the potato chips and greasy food I pig out on.
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Oh Lindt dark chocolate with orange sounds awesome! I really do like to rationalize that its “nutritious” 😉 So glad to see you here again!
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Maybe you should just be worse at research. I think if you weren’t so good at it, the guilt would be less.
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Thanks Ben 🙂 That makes me feel better…I mean, bitter…. bitter-better.
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Always glad to point out how you can be more bitter.
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Domingo is SO right!!! Even broccoli is bad for you these days if it isn’t organic, lol. I often eat gummi bears and fruit snacks late at night. You’re not alone!
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Thanks Jessica. Its nice not to be alone in this! HAhaa! I used to LOVE gummy bears…chocolate covered gummy bears 😀
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hahaha continue to love your posts girl! I’ve never been a chocolate fanatic but I get the whole eating more when you feel guilty you can’t stop thing! ah! 🙂 I tend to binge on salty things like chips but on occasion I can def eat several bowls of lucky charms if I’m stressed or have cramps. Don’t feel alone. Good to know this about chocolate though because I had heard there was proof of it offering some positive benefits! Guess not lol!
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Thanks M&M! I guess there are some benefits to chocolate, I just have to figure out how to not over-do it! HAha.
Luck Charms are my absolute favorite! I can throw back several bowls of those as well…although its been such a long time. Ack! I may have to go get some now! HEheheee 😀
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Of course chocolate is good for you! Why? Because it makes you feel goooooooood. And just a teeny bit hyper (it does for me, does it for you too?).
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It definitely does make me feel good, and a teeny bit hyper!
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Good luck with your in-depth study, my lucky friend.
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You are so hilarious. :0) “Dark chocolate can actually reverse the aging process”- haa…
You know, I’m right there with you. Lately (and by lately I mean several months) I have been indulging in whole bags of Lifesaver Gummies. Don’t eat them!! The addiction factor is HUGE. I’ve put on like…11 lbs. in 6 weeks. And yes, the psychological weight gain is brutal! Guilt creates anger which creates more guilt which justifies more of the same behavior- in this case, sugar-binging. Think of these things though, sugar triggers the same “pleasure-principle reward system” in the brain that alcoholism, drug addiction, and other addictive substances and behaviors do. That’s not to say that eating copious amounts of sugar will result in a drug addiction, etc. But you have to ask the question, “Why am I craving such high amounts of sugar?” (I’m really speaking to myself here.) Good grief I’ve turned into a maniacal, sugar- devouring machine! It’s my coping mechanism for stress- I’m sure of it. (What was my life like before Lifesaver Gummies? I don’t recall…)
And if you’re not feeling psychologically shrunk quite enough by me, sugar also often replaces sex.
[crickets chirping]
Hehe…
Thanks for the links, by the way. Who knew that chocolate could help improve math?! Interesting stuff. 🙂
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Sugar is indeed addictive!! I have been trying to kick it for quite some time now, but the whole chocolate thing really throws me off sometimes. HA!
I keep thinking that I can have just a leeeeeeetle bit and that would be okay…but so often, a little bit turns into a whole lot! Especially when no one’s looking!
I like gummie candies myself! Chocolate covered gummie bears in particular. Have you tried them? They make crack look like child’s play…. 😀
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Here at UCSD we have one of the leading researchers on the effects of dark chocolate on heart health.
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That is really cool! I must say, I am now feeling much better about my chocolate binge the other day…Thank you! 😀
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Actually I believe it has been scientifically proven that if no one sees you eat it then it does not contain calories. Or that could be wishful thinking on my part 🙂
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Hahaa! Love it! I believe I’ll go with that! No one see’s you eat it = no calories! 🙂
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I had to read this post because of the title, but I found a kindred spirit instead 🙂 I love dark chocolate, but I have to buy only certain varieties or I go nuts with it. For example, I can almost wipe out an entire bag of dark chocolate covered raisins as I rationalize that not only does the chocolate have antioxidants, but it’s also hugging a fruit!! Double nutrition score! . . . Until I factor in the 700 grams of sugar I’ve consumed 🙂
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Reblogged this on drumstutor.
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